This report is submitted to the Congress by the Department of State in compliance with Section 665 of P.L. 107-228, the Fiscal Year 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which requires the Department to report on actions taken by the U.S. Government to encourage respect for human rights. This fifth annual submission complements the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2006, and takes the next step, moving from highlighting abuses to reporting the actions and programs the United States has employed to end those abuses.

Unlike the Country Reports, Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 highlights United States efforts to promote human rights and democracy in only selected countries and entities

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 reflects the dedicated effort of hundreds of officials from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as the employees of numerous non-governmental organizations. U.S. embassies and consulates prepared the initial drafts of the reports. After the posts completed their drafts, the texts were sent to Washington for review by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in cooperation with other State Department bureaus and offices and other U.S. departments and agencies. As they worked to analyze and edit the reports, the State Department officers drew on their own knowledge of U.S. Government programs and activities.

Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006 will be used as a resource for shaping policy, conducting diplomacy and making assistance, training and other resource allocations. It will also serve as a basis for the U.S. Government's cooperation with private groups to promote the observance of internationally recognized human rights and democracy. As United States officials consider how best to advance the President’s foreign policy goals, they adhere to relevant legislation. A list of significant legislation can be found at

Within the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, the editorial staff of the report consists of: Editor in Chief